Vu Nguyen, MD

Tissue-specific immunity to preserve the graft-versus-tumor effect following hematopoietic cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) can cure hematological cancers, but its wider use is limited by the high morbidity and mortality associated with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Current therapies for GVHD lead to nonspecific suppression or depletion of T cells, thus potentially compromising the ability of the HCT to eradicate the cancer. Our research addresses the critical need for targeted therapy in GVHD and evaluates the feasibility of generating stable and functional organ-specific regulatory T cells (Treg) that reduce GVHD without affecting the ability of the donor immune system to attack the cancer following HCT.